Adirondacks 2002



	N E W C O M B
	R u n n i n g W a t e r i s G o o d . . .
			Leaving Keene Valley we drove east to the northway, I-87, and turned south. We then headed west to the town of Newcomb. Basically we drove out and around the High Peaks. Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Keene Valley are all north of the High Peaks, while Newcomb is south of the High Peaks. We stayed in a bed and breakfast in Newcomb called the Cedar Inn. We found the inn on the web and we were very pleased with our stay. Larry, the innkeeper, was a great host and made us a good breakfast each morning.
	The Cedar Inn in Newcomb. (click to enlarge)

	We pulled in to the Cedar Inn, parked our car and headed towards the front porch. Larry came out to greet us, and we tried our best to keep a ten foot buffer between us and him. We felt obligated to warn him... "we really, and I mean really, stink. We've been hiking for three days... please don't think we are unfriendly, we are just keeping our distance to protect your sense of smell." Larry assured us that the showers worked and the water was hot.

	F u l l D a y a t t h e M u s e u m . . .
	The next day it was overcast and sporadically raining for the first time since our arrival about a week ago. Thankful that it waited until we were out of the mountains, we drove to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake.

			The museum is an amazing place. We had rushed through it last year in about 3 hours as we were heading back home and knew we didn't even come close to experiencing the whole place. This year we spent about six hours walking through the 20 buildings spread out on 32 acres. There is not enough room here to describe this amazing museum. If interested, visit their web site: www.adirondackmuseum.org
	Sailboat at the Adirondack Museum. (click to enlarge)

	After out long trip to the museum we ate dinner in Long Lake and returned to Newcomb. When we walked through the front door of the inn we were greated by two Canadian women, one who had already hiked the 46 and the other who had hiked all but four or five. They were very interested to hear about our hike. Upon telling them that we had hiked the Range they immediately began telling us how much they did not like the climb up Saddleback. The exposure, the slabs of rock and the steepness of the trail had almost forced them to turn back. They eagerly shared their plans to hike Marshall the next day.

	A r t i f i c i a l E l e v a t i o n B o o s t . . .
			During our second day in Newcomb the blue skies returned in full force. We started the day by driving to the Goodnow Mountain trailhead several miles down the road from the inn. A very popular little hike in this area, a firetower atop this 2685' mountain allows terrific 360 degree views. The reward is great for only an hour and twenty minutes of steady uphill hiking. From atop the tower we enjoyed a view of the High Peaks to the North. We immediately identified Indian Pass and Algonquin Peak, where we had hiked last summer. The sky was blue and the day was crisp. We spent about 25 minutes gazing out from the 60' tall fire tower.
	Firetower and cabin atop Goodnow Mtn. (click to enlarge)

	Panoramic from Goodnow Mountain. (click to enlarge)

	W i n d i n g D o w n B e f o r e L e a v i n g T o w n. . .
	Returning to the inn around lunch we fixed ourselves some food in Larry's kitchen and headed out to his backyard. Behind the inn, a short walk through the woods, is Lake Harris. Long and thin the lake is about four miles long. We launched from Larry's dock in a couple of his kayaks and leisurely paddled the length of the lake. A Great Blue Heron was spearing fish for lunch as we paddled by a shallow area. It was a very relaxing afternoon. After a front yard game of croquet we packed up most of our gear and luggage. We were forced to acknowledge that our vacation in the Adirondacks was nearly over. The times we enjoyed, sights we were able to see and plans for future excursions soothed the nearness of our leaving. The next morning we ate another hearty breakfast and wished Larry, Newcomb and the High Peaks goodbye.

	We will be back again... the sooner the better!
	Email us: aaronandkatie@aakt.com © 2002 by A. Holmes